13 October 2020
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The Weekly Peponi School
Headmaster’s Assembly It is not the exact history that is important but the stories that I identify with and some stories are more significant to me than others. I enjoy learning about history and I particularly enjoyed learning about British history. Some aspects of the British story I identify with and I can feel a sense of pride. The same is true of American, African, and indeed Christian history.
Bean Salad with Tuna and Red Onion
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Recipe from Chef Silvester
Inter-House Senior Debate Competition Peponi School held the first round of the inter-House senior debate. The debate started off on an unusual but intriguing note. First of all, the debate had to be Virtual, a totally new platform for the much contested cup among the Houses. Page... 5
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13 October 2020
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Headmaster’s Assembly Good morning. As a British born citizen and somebody that spent his childhood, youth and adult wandering between three continents, I grew up with a fair understanding of the importance of history to a variety of different people and the difference between our understanding of our own history. As a Christian I was also brought up, not with British, American or African history, but with the additional advantage of being made aware of a more ancient history – and much of it from a time long before Christ. As children we have all been made aware of various aspect of different peoples history but often through the eyes of a particular author or of a particular culture.
It is not the exact history that is important but the stories that I identify with and some stories are more significant to me than others. I enjoy learning about history and I particularly enjoyed learning about British history. Some aspects of the British story I identify with and I can feel a sense of pride. The same is true of American, African, and indeed Christian history. While other parts of our history I feel ashamed of and feel that we need to make amends and perhaps spend a little longer focusing on where our ancestors got it wrong.
As a Christian I can similarly identify with my Christian roots and, perhaps therefore our Jewish story. I am aware that the biblical stories of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and Moses, King David and the prophets in the old testament, along with Matthew, Mark and St. Paul in the new testament are not necessarily accurate history, their message to me is very significant in who I am and have become. There are many aspects of these stories that are very specific to my faith and allow some connection with my ancestors through generations. The teaching of our prophets, in any religious faith, are crucial to us and our culture. Historical stories are important to all of us, whether religious, national, or cultural, and all of these affect our identity, who we are and how we live our lives.
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13 October 2020
The past months and for almost a year we have been urged to reflect on our understanding of history. In May this year a man, a father, a husband a brother and a member of society that boasts about it judicial systems, it law and order and sense of fair play, was killed, murdered by a policeman whose job it was to protect and serve the people of the city of Minneapolis, in the United States. I find it disappointing that we need the death of George to resurrected an interest in the past. The protests that followed in George’s home city sparked off protests across the world and it drew all people to begin to question their pasts and perhaps some of the stories that have affected our identity. If only Derek Chauvin, the Police officer who murdered Floyd, had had a better understanding and empathy of the history of his people, he might have understood the problems facing the people now marginalised by Twentieth first century America.
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I believe it is often how these stories are passed down to us that affects how we receive them, how we identify with them and how they can deeply affect us. Do we see ourselves as victors or as victims. George Floyd’s story is deafening in screams for justice and better treatment of whole sections of the united states. But so too, are the stories of the Crusades, when Christians were sent to massacre the Muslims in the middle east, as are the genocides that litter history through to present day. Even now a deadly crackdown by Myanmar's army on Rohingya Muslims sent hundreds of thousands fleeing across the border into Bangladesh and this continues to this day. How we treat and regard each other is a mirror of what we have learnt or not learnt in our understanding of our history. If we are to genuinely reach an understanding of ourselves and each other, it is vital to accept all of these stories and their significance for our world. Perhaps a true understanding of the foundation of the United States, its constitution and its consequent history would have prevented not only the death of George Floyd, but the horrors of slavery, the brutality of separation and the arrogance of economy.
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13 October 2020
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Prejudice, racism and hatred arise when we do not understand or accept each other for the people we are and the people who God loves. We, in the adapted words of George Mason, we are all created equally and by our nature are equally free and independent, and free to pursue and obtain happiness and safety.� This should be equally true whatever our religion, our gender, or our nationality The following is a video from the TED Talk Series "History is H.O.T. right now," Dr. Karen Cox explains. When looking at recent events, like the Unite the Right rally that took place in August 2017 in Charlottesville, VA, history helps shape our understanding. History can explain the importance that impacts current events and provide meaning beyond facts and dates that influence events today. Karen was born in West Virginia and grew up in Greensboro, NC and is a professor of history at UNC Charlotte. Karen is also an award-winning historian and author, having written three books, in addition to numerous essays and articles on southern history and culture. Karen is a national expert on Confederate monuments and uses her her historical expertise to write on contemporary issues and share her knowledge with the broader public. Karen is a first generation college graduate. https://youtu.be/RO5UvwppLM4 The next video takes a look at how historical "facts" can be wrong In this talk, Darwin scholar, historian and author Dr John van Wyhe explains how some of the best known known 'facts' if history are often completely, sometimes ridiculously wrong Dr. John is a historian of science who specializes on Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and the history of evolutionary theories. He holds an unusual pair of positions: Senior Lecturer at Department of Biological Sciences & Department of History in NUS. He is the founder & director of the award winning Darwin online project at the University of Cambridge. He is a Professorial Fellow of Charles Darwin University and also an Associate of the Science, Technology & Society (STS) Cluster, Asia Research Institute (ARI), Natural History Museum (London) and a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. He curated the restoration of Darwin's College rooms and the Wallace exhibition at the Science Centre Singapore. https://youtu.be/_mgDW_U1prQ
Prayers Lord, we respond differently to acts of sin -- some are protesting peacefully, some are protesting angrily, some are confused, and many are hurting. Help us to find unity in you God, you are the unifying factor because you are the Creator who created us all to be your image-bearers -- none more important than another. You look at each of your children and you have compassion and love toward each one equally. Help us to love as you do, help us to see humanity as you do, and help us to forgive one another in the midst of injustice. Lord, please give me compassion, love, grace for others. That we may embrace all races and creeds and allow us to understand our stories that we may love each other as we do you. Amen Eternal God, guide us in trying to understand our own stories, and those of others. Help us to embrace as those of others around us. In this way, help us to establish a society and world of greater cohesion and understanding and harmony. Amen
Mark Durston Headmaster
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13 October 2020
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Inter-House Senior Debate Competition Peponi School held the first round of the inter-House senior debate. The debate started off on an unusual but intriguing note. First of all, the debate had to be Virtual, a totally new platform for the much contested cup among the Houses. After deliberations by the four heads of Houses namely Savannah Tawk- Jipe, Dilan Shah- Chala, Ashley Kogo- Elementaita and Dean Bayebe- Magadi, the two motions that sailed through were:
This House believes that it is ethical to carry an automatic weapon. And This house believes that feminism is causing more harm than good. While the motions were interesting, Magadi found themselves going against the grain by defending the right to carry fire arms and worse was to come when Elementaita, a girls’ House, found themselves disparaging feminism: to say that the speakers were conflicted is an understatement. Attacking the very idea that they believe in - Elementaita through Joy Mugo, Nicole Asiimwe and Samar Ahmed found the going tough but ended up giving Chala a stiff challenge. The first motion was carried by Jipe who won the debate thus reinstating the fact that it is unethical to carry an automatic weapon. Magadi represented by Kian Patel, Julian Colville and Sarthak Nanda had a lot of solid and valid points but the Jipe trio of Zenzele Oluoch Olunya, Kisakye Kajubi and Natalya Mburia emerged winners.
The second motion debated by Chala and Elementaita was equally challenging. It was impressive to see boys hotly defend the rights of women. Chala through Mwai Githinji, Deron Kajubi and Nyamu Karani convinced the judges beyond any reasonable doubt that feminism is a blessing and female emancipation is the only way to empower the ladies. At the end of the afternoon Elementaita, the defending debate champions, found themselves humbled while Chala who were trailing last year emerged the winners not only of their motion but of all the Houses, however Jipe is breathing hard on their necks. Well done to the Houses and the debaters. After whetting our appetite for more, we do look forward to sparks flying in round two of inter-House senior debate scheduled to take place in week 10, either Virtually or Physically. Finally a big thank you to the judges; Ms Litoro and Mr. Strain for their expertise and words of wisdom. Asanteni Sana.
Lillian Ayatta Head of English
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13 October 2020
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Rejected Short story by Esther Kuria The chase began.
Oh, the disappointment!
Adrenalin rushed through my veins as I broke out into a sprint. My heart pounding at six thousand miles an hour. My breath accelerating. Icily, the cold wind brushed across my face like it too was running the other direction. The white snow that covered the ground before me like a carpet, crackled beneath my feet on each step.
Apparently, so many other southerners had the idea to come up north. Finding jobs became as tedious as finding a needle in a haystack. With so many job vacancies already filled, my parents went to the same unemployed state. And don’t get me started on the cold! It permeates through our flimsy clothes like we had nothing on. Our cracked plastic gloves don’t stand a chance in this cold weather.
It was late afternoon. The sun infesting the white with orange as it set. Showing its true form. Its different arresting eccentric amber form. Then hiding away. All to have the chance of starting a fresh the next day. I longed for that. I remember my first day at Clark. On the bus Rufus and I were debating on how to act. I said we should be cool and chill out. Not many people here spoke the way we did, so I thought that we should lay low. Perhaps, speak the way they did. Save our true selves for close friends. So, it was a plan. But as soon as we entered the bus…Rufus went haywire. He greeted them in the most southern way he could. Big smiles. Eye contact sweeping across the bus. Thick southern accent. Friendly tone. The whole enchilada.
I’m more like an observer. Rufus’ plus one. I see how they cut me out sometimes, but I don’t blame them. I’d probably reject myself too if I were them. Like when Kenny is sharing his gloves. I know he only has a pair, so I back off. No need to make him choose. It’s like he’s made the choice already. I go and read a book or something, but I still stay near them. For company. I’m such a third wheel! I make things feel so childish and weird. You know how training wheels suck the joy out of bicycles. Or how one wheel is the difference between a cool motorbike and a boring tricycle. I’m that wheel… But I’d rather be a dull tricycle than an isolated unicycle. Any day.
We weren’t prepared for the taunting that followed. Taunting so familiar. I thought the north would be a new start. A chance for my family. A promise of food on the table. Decent clothing. My parents wouldn’t have to struggle to fend for us. We could finally spend more time with them.
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13 October 2020
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Maya Olouch-Olunya
I would like to congratulate Maya Olouch-Olunya on her achievement of a distinction in the Vth Form Charter last year. This is a real accomplishment as only pupils who achieve highly in all three sections of The Charter and prove themselves valuable, dedicated and talented members of the School attain this highest honour. Maya was awarded 1394 points out of a possible 1625. While a strong academic, receiving top marks in her Mandela Essay and 91% effort in her Collections, Maya exceled in her contributions to the extra-curricular activities of the School. As a talented musician Maya has completed both her Grade 8 in Piano and been awarded a merit in her Grade 7 violin. She is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya and in March 2020 she was a winner in the Young Musician’s competition as part of a Peponi ensemble. Maya is also a very talented actress and her performance as the Drama teacher Ms. Mavis in the School play ‘’ Living with Lady Macbeth’’ last term was both funny and accomplished. Congratulations Maya on a fantastic Charter performance. Maya’s talents are broad and varied and she fully deserves this distinction in the first Peponi Charter awards. Well done Maya!
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13 October 2020
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Journey Through the Phone First Phone Ever
March 10, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell created the first phone. The first words spoken via telephone were from Bell to his assistant Watson, saying "Mr. Watson-come here-I want to see you." Mr. Watson heard the message on the receiver in another room and rushed through to Bell. Bell was a man of vision. After the telephone's success, he wrote to his father about a future when "friends converse with each other without leaving home." That future is here. How often do you talk with your friends on phone? Phones have gone from a strange new technology to an essential part of daily life. With the onset of the century, telephones have seen many changes in their basic design and functions.
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Here are some of the phone models that have preceded our most valuable gadgets. Candlestick Telephone 1900s.The candlestick phone was common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. It featured a mouth piece (transmitter) mounted at the top of the stand, and a receiver (ear phone) that was held by the user to the ear during a call. When the telephone was not in use, the receiver rested in the fork of the switch hook protruding to the side of the stand, thereby disconnecting the audio circuit from the telephone network.
Rotary Dial 1950s-1980s
A push button telephone of the 80s- 90s
DynaTAC 8000X - 1985 The Motorola Dynatac 800X was the first handheld mobile phone and loudly announced the beginning of a new era.
13 October 2020
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2017 and beyond With innovative devices now in the market, we rely on them for more and more each day. Fewer people use a landline phones from their homes. Some Phone fun facts. 1) The first mobile phone cost about £2500. 2) We check our mobiles around 110 times a day. 3) The fear of being without your phone is real. Next time you are using your mobile phone, don’t take it for granted. Think about the journey that technology has taken to leave you with this wondrous device.
Hellen Kanyiri Librarian
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13 October 2020
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Jokes and Quotes from the Music Department Don’t run with bagpipes. You could put an aye out or worse, get kilt! Maturity is when you discover that the volume button also goes anti-clockwise!’ Music listening, performance and composition engage nearly every area of the brain that we have so far identified, and involve nearly every neural subsystem.’ ‘Musical talent is hardly evidence of innocence. As a matter of fact, the late Professor Moriarty was a virtuoso on the bassoon.’ (from Sherlock Holmes)
Stop using anti-guitarist language Instead of:
Say:
Your amp is too loud
You excel at fortissimo passages
It’s a Gb
It’s an F#
You’re not staying in time with the band
I like your use of polyrhythms
Your solo was in the wrong key
That was very jazzy
Your bends are going out of tune
I see you’re experimenting with microtones
James Laight
Director of Music
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13 October 2020
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Recipe from Chef Silvester Bean Salad with Tuna and Red Onion Ingredients (Serves Four) 250g / 9oz / 1 ½ cups dried haricot (navy) or cannellini beans, soaked overnight in cold water 1 bay leaf 200-250g / 7-9oz fine green beans, trimmed
Salt and ground black pepper A few onion rings, to garnish For the dressing 90ml / 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 5ml / 1 tbsp tarragon vinegar
1 large red onion, very thinly sliced
5ml / 1tsp tarragon mustard
45ml / 3 tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
200-250g / 7-9oz good-quality canned tuna in olive oil, drained 200g / 7oz cherry tomatoes, halved
5ml / 1 tsp grated lemon rind A little lemon juice Pinch of caster (superfine) Sugar (optional)
Method Drain the beans and bring them to the boil in fresh water with the bay leaf added. Boil rapidly for 10 minutes then reduce the heat and boil steadily for 1-1 ½ hours, until tender. Drain well. Discard the bay leaf. Meanwhile, place all the dressing ingredients apart from the lemon juice and sugar in a jug (pitcher) and whisk until mixed. Season to taste with salt, pepper, lemon juice and a pinch of caster sugar, if you like. Leave to stand. Blanch the green beans in plenty of boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold water and drain thoroughly again. Place both types of beans in a bowl add half the dressing and toss to mix. Stir in the onion and half the chopped parsley, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Flake the tuna into chunks with a knife and toss it into the beans with the tomato halves.
Chef Silvester
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Arrange the salad on four individual plates. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad and sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley on top. Garnish with a few onion rings and serve immediately, at room temperature.
WILD PEPONI
Barn Owl (Tyto alba) The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. It is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from the other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific islands.
Photo credits: Mr. Robin Backhouse
Photo taken at Peponi School
13 October 2020
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Peponi School Sudoku Puzzle Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
3 4
5 6
2
3 1
3
1
4 8
5 4
6
2
9
5
1 8
3
3
7 6 3
1 7
3
6 2
2 5 6
1 4 2 1
5 9
4 5 8
7 8
7 3 7
2
8 9 2
8 4 9
7 6 1
4
5 9 4
7
6 8 2
7
4
1
9
6 8
5 1
1 Hannah Winstanley - Registrar
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13 October 2020
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Peponi School on Social Media The Official Peponi School Social Media Accounts
Facebook www.facebook.com/peponischool Twitter www.twitter.com/peponi_school Instagram www.instagram.com/peponi_school
Youtube https://bit.ly/2YUrnl8
Peponi School PO Box 236, Ruiru 00232 +(254) 020 354 6456 +(254) 0733 615 139; +(254) 0722 287 248